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Why an independent rear suspension for GM's new, full-sized SUVs wasn't easy

A Motor Trend report last month laid out how Cadillac's 4.2-lier twin-turbo Blackwing V8 could be an orphan due to cost concerns in the GM empire. Last-minute chassis changes to Cadillac's new sedans and XT6 crossover led to engine bays that couldn't fit the Blackwing. On the SUV side, according to the report, the new independent rear suspension for big people haulers cost so much to implement that GM ruled out reworking the Escalade to accept the Blackwing. At least one commenter rightly asked how could a suspension swallow that much money. A new piece in Motor Trend has the answer. The excellent Alissa Priddle spoke to Tim Herrick, GM's executive chief engineer for full-size trucks, about why the clean-sheet IRS cost "multimillions of dollars."  First, GM would need to build a new body shop at the Arlington, Texas plant that assembles the automaker's big SUVs to stamp the numerous wholly new parts and panels accommodating an IRS. Then GM would need to design and pay for a new assembly process. On top of those up-front costs, there was the incremental cost of the four-link IRS components being more expensive than those in the trucks' former leaf-sprung solid axles. Herrick endured so many rejections for so long that he remembers the date and time when he got approval for the new unit. He said it came down to a meeting where he told a higher-up, "I'll make you a deal: If we get to the reveal, or if we launch this and you think this was a dumb idea, I'll hand you my badge and let you walk me out." Head to Motor Trend to read the full story. Based on Herrick being on stage to help present the new SUVs to the press, and on our First Ride in the new Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban at GM's Milford Proving Grounds, it appears this will have a happy ending for all involved. Furthermore, since Herrick worked on the T1 platform that supports the big SUVs as well as the light- and heavy-duty pickups, he understood the demands on the commercial side, too. That could be why when Roadshow asked Tim Asoklis, chief engineer of the Tahoe and Suburban, if the new IRS could endure life in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, Asoklis answered, "Oh, absolutely." Related Video:    

Chevrolet Malibu gets across-the-board price cuts, hopes to dig out of slump

To say that things aren't going well for the newly redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a pretty sizable understatement. Reports have been swirling about the Malibu getting an emergency design refresh, less than a year after its introduction, as well as having its production at the Fairfax Assembly Plant halted twice already this year for excessive inventory. Now, Motor Trend is reporting that the midsize sedan will be receiving price drops across the board ranging from $300 on a number of models up to $770 on the 1LT trim; offsetting some of MSRP drop, though, the destination charge has increased from $760 to $810.
Without destination, the entry-level Malibu LS now starts at $21,995, which is still about $300 more than a Honda Accord and about $300 less than the segment's top-selling Toyota Camry. This new pricing also drops the price of the Eco, 2LT and 3LT trims by $300. The LTZ trim has dropped by $415, meaning that the Malibu's top dog now starts at just under $30,000, excluding destination.
Here are the new starting prices for all eight of the Malibu trim levels compared to the previous prices for the 2013 model year (including destination):

2023 Detroit Auto Show Mega Photo Gallery: All the new reveals and first looks

The 2023 Detroit Auto Show didn’t play host to a lot of reveals, but on top of the new cars that were revealed there, automakers brought a whole bunch of cars we havenÂ’t seen in person yet. In a show of home strength, all the big reveals came from the hometown Big Three, with Ford, GM and Stellantis playing host to the most important unveilings. We took Huntington Place by storm to capture all of the new cars and sights to see in Detroit, and you can see everything we did in the series of galleries below. Interesting special editions like the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black Edition and the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro CollectorÂ’s Edition found some floor space alongside bigger debuts like the refreshed gasoline-powered F-150 and 2024 Jeep Gladiator with its new interior. If you wanted to see it all yourself, make sure you check out our guide on how to attend the public show days. Scroll on down to see all of the galleries for all of the big Detroit debuts.   2024 Ford F-150 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor View 22 Photos   2024 GMC Acadia 2024 GMC Acadia AT4 View 17 Photos   2025 Cadillac CT5 2025 Cadillac CT5 View 15 Photos   2024 Jeep Gladiator 2024 Jeep Gladiator Live View 10 Photos   2025 Ford Mustang GTD Mustang GTD View 9 Photos   2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally View 10 Photos   Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 AEV Bison Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 AEV Bison View 6 Photos   2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black View 11 Photos   2024 Chevrolet Camaro CollectorÂ’s Edition ZL1 1LE 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Collector's Edition ZL1 1LE View 8 Photos   2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali View 8 Photos   Related video: Design/Style Green Detroit Auto Show Cadillac Chevrolet Ford GM GMC Jeep Technology Truck Coupe Crossover SUV Electric Hybrid Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance Sedan